The Planning of a successful Gorilla Trekking Holiday revolves around ensuring you avoid making these common Gorilla Trekking Mistakes many inexperienced tour operators or individuals usually make. In today’s, article we will endeavour to thoroughly explain the common gorilla trekking mistakes and also provide our in-depth expert advice on How to avoid making such mistakes.
The Most common Gorilla trekking Mistakes you should avoid
- Arriving on the wrong day/date for your trek:
Gorilla Permits are issued for specific dates (with the date imprinted on the Permit) and are non-transferrable. This is only 08 persons are allowed to trek/visit a particular gorilla group and the gorilla groups fill up well in advance which makes it impossible to easily move your trekking day/date because you got it wrong. Note that there are also no refunds.
- Not Booking/Paying or Buying your Gorilla Permit in Advance.
Mountain Gorilla trekking permits are Limited in number. For instance, Uganda only has 160 Gorilla Permits available on a daily, and Rwanda has only 80 permits available on a daily. Group size of visitors to each gorilla group is limited to eight (08) people per group of gorillas per day.
Uganda currently boasts of the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla groups (20 habituated gorilla groups) with a gorilla permit costing $800 per permit (much cheaper than Rwanda which charges $1,500per permit) thus making it very popular which inturn makes the permits alot more competitive to book.
Compare Gorilla trekking In Rwanda & Uganda – which one is the best?
You’ll therefore need to book your gorilla permits at least 3 – 6 months in advance to avoid missing out. You can’t just show up and expect to buy one on the day of the trek.
- Not bringing a copy of your Passport on the day/date of trekking
All trekkers are expected to bring/carry along with them a copy of their passports on the actual day/date of trekking. The Passport is used to verify that details match with those imprinted on the actual gorilla Permit. Trekkers who don’t bring their passports are at the mercy of the officials and stand the risk of not being admitted/missing out on the trekking.
- Not Bringing/Wearing the Right outfit/clothes.
Many people underestimate the challenges associated with Gorilla trekking. Often people have misinterpreted it as a walk (not a trek). Yet the actual truth is that if you pay attention to the words used in defining the activity then you appreciate the fact that it is called Gorilla Trekking Not Gorilla walking.
A trek is a long strenous, difficult & tiring journey, especially one made on foot.
Gorilla trekking is not something you should attempt in an ordinary outfit. You’ll need to have/bring and wear the right clothing and gear for the activity. Check out our expert advice on what to pack for Gorilla trekking.
Learn More about What to wear on your Gorilla Trek.
- Not Using a Porter During Your Trek
Porter services cost about $15 – $20 for the entire time spent on the trek. These locals will make your gorilla trekking experience a lot more enjoyable. They will help you carry your backpack containing your lunch pack, camera, water, raincoat, etc, and also give you a push or pull up and down the mountains. Learn more from our article about Why we recommend using a Porter for your trek.
- Avoid DIY (doing-it-yourself) Planning/Booking
Lastly, while planning/booking a gorilla holiday may seem like an easy DIY project, we must be honest with you that it is not as simple as you think. There is great knowledge needed in planning/booking such a holiday. Using a tour operator to plan and book your holiday will save you from making any of the above-mentioned Common Gorilla trekking Mistakes. Look at our range of affordable gorilla trekking holidays, choose what fits your interests, ask for a quote, and we will make it happen for you at an affordable price.
Check out our Gorilla tours for 2023 – 2024 & Beyond.
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